Airstream Bambi vs. Class B Thor

[Clean39T]

Getting pretty serious about securing a small RV setup going into spring and how others have weighed the relative merits of a small towable vs. a Class B all-in-one?

For a towable, I'd probably look at an Airstream Bambi or similar smallish-format, basic two-person setup. For a Class B, most likely a new Thor Sequence or Tellaro, or Winnie Solis. The main things I'm after are a bathroom and a basic kitchen, plus a place to sleep. My goal is being able to drive down to CA, NV, UT, etc. to set up basecamp for solo exploring classic climbs and road routes over long weekends, as well as some coastal trips with my better half.

Towable Pros:
- can park it and drive the truck/SUV away
- when stored, have the truck/SUV as a second car
- less expensive overall depending on cost of truck/SUV

Towable Cons:
- have to store it somewhere (at least w current rental home)
- can't stealth camp as easily

Class B Pros:
- stealth camping almost anywhere
- can park in driveway at home
- easier parking in general on trips

Class B Cons:
- probably $20-30K more expensive
- driveable part may degrade faster than liveable part, or vice-versa
- seems more complex
- design/storage may be better on towable

So, anybody else weighed the merits here or have other thoughts to help inform my decision?

[sailor]

We have an escape 21ft fiberglass trailer, these are very high quality and much less expensive than an airstream, made in BC.
I really like being able to park at camp and use the vehicle to get around. The tow vehicle is also my wife's primary car so one less thing to maintain and is a modern safe vehicle compared to vans and way better than a class A.

Towing driving is harder than a small class B but likely comparable to a larger RV. Towing in the snow is sketchy so that is a downside.
I am curious why you can park a class B but not a trailer at your rental they are similar in size.

You might also consider a pickup and side in if you want a single vehicle but some flexibility.

[sikocycles]

I would look at Scamp and Casita also. As much as I love AS they are just some much money. I will restore one someday once I find one reasonable priced.

[Too Tall]

Class B seemed interesting to me until I really talked to some folks. They are fine for one person.

I'm in the towable camp. It is a very posh place to hang out, take a shower, cook a meal or sit at the table and doomscroll. There are really decent quality towables which also have high ground clearance so you can get in and out of rough roads.

FWIIW we have a 26' Airstream. Axe me anything.

[Clean39T]

I am curious why you can park a class B but not a trailer at your rental they are similar in size.

We have two 21' parking spots in front of a shallow two-car garage. If we get a towable, we'd have to park one car somewhere else, or the towable somewhere else, or fit the towable in the garage, or ?? All options involve trade-offs. The Sprinter van Class B would just barely fit in the driveway and replace one car.

I'm definitely open to a trailer that isn't an Airstream - but design and materials are important to me, as-is resale. A used Airstream strikes me as the equivalent of a Pegoretti or Sachs in the used bike market - you pay more up front, but you don't really lose value more than wear-n-tear (i.e., they don't depreciate unused, atmo).

[PaMtbRider]

I researched the hell out of this before buying our first towable trailer. Pluses and minuses to both, and what works for me might not be right for you.

To me the big downside of the class b is needing to drive it everywhere when you are camping. We like to set up "base camp" in an area for a few days and use our tow vehicle to explore the area. This leaves all utilities hooked up, awning out, chairs, grills... all setup to use upon return. If you plan to mainly boondock this is not as much of an issue.

Spend a weeks vacation in your choice of RV with bad weather that keeps you inside, and you quickly realize how small it is. With two people, the furthest you can get away from each other is the length of the RV.

Also consider where and how you will store your bikes. A class B has limited storage. Some newer units actually have pass through storage built in that is big enough to fit a bike in. Going that route keeps your bike inside, but eats up the majority of your storage space. If you are ok with your bike outside the vehicle on a rack, that simplifies things.

As mentioned above Casita and Scamp make small, quality trailers. I would add Bigfoot to that list as well. I would encourage anyone to buy an Airstream, as we love ours. Be warned though, even at Airstream quality and price level, stuffs going to break. You're basically taking your mobile house through an earthquake every time you drive it down the road.

Unfortunately the RV industry is going through an unprecedented boom right now, and price and availability reflects that. A new Airstream order placed now, probably wouldn't be delivered till late summer at best.

Keep us posted on your decision and continue to ask questions that are relevant to your wants and desires in an RV.

[Too Tall]

We have two 21' parking spots in front of a shallow two-car garage. If we get a towable, we'd have to park one car somewhere else, or the towable somewhere else, or fit the towable in the garage, or ?? All options involve trade-offs. The Sprinter van Class B would just barely fit in the driveway and replace one car.

I'm definitely open to a trailer that isn't an Airstream - but design and materials are important to me, as-is resale. A used Airstream strikes me as the equivalent of a Pegoretti or Sachs in the used bike market - you pay more up front, but you don't really lose value more than wear-n-tear (i.e., they don't depreciate unused, atmo).

Well if you feel that way about it. They can be had used for a significant savings. Fair warning, I've helped pals find them before and myself have been beat out on deals that go poof same day. Have a stack of Benjamins and ready to deal. Most AS owners are good owners.

[Clean39T]

Update: My better half is staunchly against the trailer idea, at least for the next couple of years.. she wants self-contained and stealth camping ability. I can't say she's wrong. Plus in this instance, going along means I get what I'm really after that much quicker. With any luck we'll be checking out a Thor Sequence shortly.

[Too Tall]

Update: My better half is staunchly against the trailer idea, at least for the next couple of years.. she wants self-contained and stealth camping ability. I can't say she's wrong. Plus in this instance, going along means I get what I'm really after that much quicker. With any luck we'll be checking out a Thor Sequence shortly.

Quigley and build it out yourself. If I was in the market that is where I'd start. Infact, that is likely our next tow vehicle for the trailer.